Beginner questions

I've been wanting to try autocrossing, but I'm not sure how to get started. I'm sure this has been covered before, but where would I find a list of races in my area?

Where are you?

Start by checking if your area has a local SCCA Region. Most SCCA regions let non-members run (in fact, I ran as a non-member today because the extra ten bucks on the entry fee was less trouble than getting my lapsed membership straightened out). scca.com, and then start clicking around until you find the list of Regions. You could also check out your local marque clubs. The first auto-x I ever attended were BMWCCA, because I owned a "grey market" car, and SCCA wouldn't let me run because the car had never been officially exported to the US. Most marque clubs allow other cars to run because sometimes a club member would like to drive while the project is in pieces (like the guy who drives his Subaru Outback at the BMWCCA event because his 2002 is on jackstands in the garage..)

Good luck!

ReverendDexter wrote: Where are you?

Central VA between Richmond and Charlottesville.

DCR has several events down at fedex field, look for their site through SCCA

there is also events here in Cumberland, MD (where I am) you can find info at www.nationalroadrally.com (first event is the first weekend of May) (if you want to come up there are several of us who will happily help a newbie learn the ropes) we also have a hillclimb in august that you could come cornerwork for (free camping, free food for workers, free tee-shirt, and a weekend of racing involved FUN)

http://www.brr-scca.org/

Blue Ridge SCCA might be closer to you... I think they do a lot of theirs in Salem...

Rusty, get in touch with GetFast on here. That's Jon. He runs quite a few Autocrosses, trackdays, etc. He's located here in VA.

There is also going to be a PCA trackday in May at VIR. That is a great deal. More pricey than an AutoX but you'll get your money's worth.

Apexcarver wrote: DCR has several events down at fedex field, look for their site through SCCA there is also events here in Cumberland, MD (where I am) you can find info at www.nationalroadrally.com (first event is the first weekend of May) (if you want to come up there are several of us who will happily help a newbie learn the ropes) we also have a hillclimb in august that you could come cornerwork for (free camping, free food for workers, free tee-shirt, and a weekend of racing involved FUN)

http://wdcr-scca.org for the DC region, but that could be a drive for you.

http://autocrossersinc.org just started racing in Waldorf, MD.

There are also races run in VA Beach.

As far as what to do, read the rules to see where you might be classed (and asking questions here is fine too), make sure you can pass tech (easy) and just show up. Don't worry about winning or modding your car at all. Just show up in what you got, take an instructor with you, and have fun.

Gimp wrote:

Apexcarver wrote: DCR has several events down at fedex field, look for their site through SCCA there is also events here in Cumberland, MD (where I am) you can find info at www.nationalroadrally.com (first event is the first weekend of May) (if you want to come up there are several of us who will happily help a newbie learn the ropes) we also have a hillclimb in august that you could come cornerwork for (free camping, free food for workers, free tee-shirt, and a weekend of racing involved FUN)

http://wdcr-scca.org for the DC region, but that could be a drive for you. http://autocrossersinc.org just started racing in Waldorf, MD. There are also races run in VA Beach. As far as what to do, read the rules to see where you might be classed (and asking questions here is fine too), make sure you can pass tech (easy) and just show up. Don't worry about winning or modding your car at all. Just show up in what you got, take an instructor with you, and have fun.

Of course that does include one big asterisk:

Make sure you check everything on your car for operation. I suggest these steps for starting every season and they are easily adapted to mean starting autocrossing:

1: replace your brake fluid

2: check your battery voltage, hold down and cables

3: check your belts

4: check your lug nut torque

5: check your base tire pressures, refill the air tank

6: remove floor mats

7: clean out all the cubbies, only include your license, insurance and towing card and leave them in your wallet.

8: remove the junk from your trunk, bring your spare tire, jack, lugwrench and a small assortment of tools in a small box

9: fill a cooler with water bottles, 5 hour energy, power bars and bananas or apples.(race day)

10: bring a bag for waste.

11: remember to keep the stereo and cell phone off, you aren't close to being that good yet (note to myself for run time)

12: bring comfortable shoes for standing 2/3rds of the day.

13: leave an hour early and help people set up. let them know that you are new and wanted to get a good start at learning the rituals.

Capital Driving Club hosts AutoXes in No. VA. Just went to one yesterday.

http://capitaldrivingclub.com/

Once you sign up and get to an event, just about anyone there will be happy to help you out with pointers and what you're supposed to do. You can also get instructors to ride with you and help you navigate the course till you're ready to go solo.

John, you forgot sunglasses, hat, and sunblock.

when preparing for the event figure like your spending the day in the desert without sand. you get ALOT of exposure.

use the sunblock, you WILL burn.

also consider putting a folding chair in if you have room.

airtank, and TIRE PRESSURE GAGE

painters tape in contrasting color to put number on your car

shoe polish/chalk to mark tires to check sidewall roll (needed for stock-ish alignment cars and helpful for others)

you will be airing your tires up about 10psi above normal (38psi is a normal running pressure) you are asking ALOT more of your tires and they will tuck so your wearing on your sidewalls, so you are going to air them up to resist that (and the chalk/polish is to keep tabs on that)

when we say remove everything, WE MEAN EVERYTHING, floormats, stuff in console, ect..

if its a really hot day put a washcloth in your cooler if your using ice, you now have a nice cool and wet cloth that will make you feel better (also useful for cleaning hands ect..)

I didn't get a chance to finish, we got busy ;)

But yes more of what Apex said.

Once you get to the event, things will progress very quickly once the registration window/trailer/table, etc opens. Make sure you know what class you're running, how much money you need, etc.

Typically, you have to fill out the registration form, pay your money, sign the liability waiver (any guests/co-drivers will have to sign this as well) then get your car through tech as quickly as possible and get the tech form back to registration to get your run card. Do all of this quickly. Why? well because you need to walk the course so that you won't be lost. Arriving early and helping with setup means you get to spend more time in and around the course.

Most events will have a "novice coordinator" find that person and walk the course with them. Once Registration and Tech closes, they'll likely have a driver's meeting. Most places will ask for the Novices and make sure they get a little extra help. Obviously, if you can preregister online, do it. That will save you

Some tips for walking the course: Make note of any dips, seams, gravel, etc. More importantly try to find things to look at around the outside of the course to help you keep your eyes up and scanning down the course. If you don't you'll be driving off the nose of your car and that will force you to slow down to compensate and/or over compensate and spin the car, etc.

When driving, you'll see that keeping your eyes up will help you keep your hands slower/less clumsy and you'll find your way through the course more easily. Keep two hands on the wheel. Adjust the seat so that when your hands are on the wheel, your arms are slightly bent. One handed, full outstretched arm driving is not fast or "cool" you'll look silly and be slow. You need to be able to see where you're going and you need to be able to control the car accurately and quickly. As you get comfortable with everything, try to stay on the gas until you have to brake, the car shouldn't coast, that just means you're losing time.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! This is just a hobby, you won't make any money at this and at best you'll win a trophy. Ignore the guys that take it all too seriously, they suck to be around.

Note that no one asked what kind of car you are driving. That's because it doesn't matter. Go have fun.